CHRISTMAS | Note #3

* Note to my Italian friends: Clicca (QUI) per leggere la newsletter in italiano!

For me, Christmas is about nostalgia. Every tradition, decoration and food sparks a memory of the past, usually of my childhood. I was lucky enough to grow up in a small country town in Romania. I was born after the revolution and there were not many industrial things yet. The tree was bare, but true. The decorations were mostly paper or candy with glittery packaging. The gifts were simple toys, dolls and puppets. Yet, I didn't miss anything.

There was always snow, a lot of snow. So much that cars were no longer running. My grandfather had prepared a big wooden sleigh to take me and my sister to kindergarten or school. It was so quiet outside, you could hear the breathing and the snow falling from the trees. There was a scent of cakes in the air because everyone was getting busy for the holidays.

There is a lot of celebration in Romania. Four days for Christmas only and many other days scattered here and there during December. The table must always be set and full of traditional food. Food that takes a lot of dedication and time to prepare. Yet, no one was in a hurry. The month was long and there was only time to devote to preparations.

On December 24, we would go colindare. We would go to sing Christmas carols at the doors of relatives, neighbors and friends. Basically at the whole town. It didn't matter if you could sing or not, the important thing was to get a reward. It was a kind of Halloween celebration. People would bake homemade bread and cakes to give to the singers, or just give a penny. The streets were filled with children and singing.

I like to remember this, every single Christmas, because it helps me value the smallest and simplest things in everyday life. Having a hot cup of tea with someone you love is often taken for granted. So is making a Christmas cake, wrapping a gift, putting on heavy pajamas, turning on the tree lights, and so on...

This part of my life has made me the person and artist I am today. There is a reason why I love to depict moments of everyday life. If I love to always add an unusual or magical element to it. This is the lens through which I see the world and experience each moment. When you think you don't have your own artistic style, you are actually not fully expressing who you are. What you love to do, to read, to look at. What characterizes you as an unique individual in this world (in this latest interview, artist Zuzana talks about what style is).

Every year I try to organize an art activity for December. I started this tradition in 2020 with the Christmas workshop, paid lives series (in Italian).

In 2021, I decided to change the format and make it accessible to everyone. Every day I would email a drawing and a sentence. I must say it was more challenging than I thought it would be. But at least I was able to get some practice with digital tools.

Last year I shared 24 themes to make 24 small-format drawings. I shared them here.

For the past two years I have missed direct interaction with people who like to do this kind of activity. So, for this December, I’ve set dates when I’ll do lives on instagram (for free). I will not save these lives because I want them to be spontaneous, light-hearted dates. Not tutorials or aestetich videos.

I have not decided on themes or planned anything specific, you will simply find me doodling, drawing and painting what inspires me. I will only speak Italian in these lives, though, because that's what comes easiest to me. You will still be able to follow along and draw what you love.

I hope you will be able to be there at one of these appointments ♥

Thank you for reading. I hope this Note made you reflect and remember the happy moments of your past Christmases. Don't forget to appreciate every little moment and emotion.

See you soon!!

-Madalina